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July-August 1997

On may 26 last year the camalig or hot o the Mahilum family went to fire. There were five children and no parents. Rhona the oldest, 8 years old, single handedly carried one by one her four brothers and sisters to safety. As she braved the flames, each time she got more and more burned. Finally, after saving the last child she collapsed, exhausted in pain. We recall her brave story form the Inquirer newspaper where she was given a special citation from the president.

I am sending you...

From far away Rome, I heard John Paul II’s impassioned commissioning of the young people during the 10th World Youth Day in Manila: “To each one of you Christ says: “I am sending you....’ These words are addresses to you. The Church addresses them to all young people around the world today, though they are being addressed especially of the Philippines and to the young people of China, of Japan, Korea and Vietnam....”

The Condrado dela Cruz Project is the story of some displaced women in a slum area of Guatemala City, in the Parish of Sagrado Familia. In memory of the Filipino missionary and martyr Condrado dela Cruz, CICM, who disappeared on May 1, 1980, the parish, opened a ministry. Its primary aim is to offer women and children a chance to recover their sense of dignity, to discover their role in the family and community and to strengthen their faith in the God of Life.

A cousin who was ten years old lived with us for some time, and as a curious kid, I was in awe in him because he seemed so strong and skilled and in control.

“Do this or suffer the consequences,” was his favorite line to me. He’d use it when he wanted me to do errands for him, like buy Coke or chips from the sari-sari store. He’d used it when he abused me sexually.

July

5 and 6

Armed men raided one of our villages in Bengo, around 60 to 70 kilometers from the capital of Luanda. They killed five of our community members. They took away the crops of the community ad wounded some men. When I learned what happened and decided to bring some food to the people, the police at first did not want to let me pass and reach the area. But realizing the gravity of the situation, they allowed me to help our community. The orphans were crying to me, begging me to transfer then to our other villages because of what happened. A lot of them were traumatized and wanted to abandon the place. One feels so helpless in the face of such a situation because one can’t really do anything to stoop the abuses of the military who are very undisciplined and poorly paid, as a result. They prey on helpless people, robbing them of whatever little they have.

The Situation

When I was still in Belgium, learning the French language and receive the order to be in Haiti by 15 December 1994, I had hard time deciding whether to go or not to goat the given deadline. Not to go, of course, would automatically mean to celebrate Christmas with those whom I already knew and felt at home, with the five other Filipino CICM destined for Africa. I was wrestling with the temptation to stay with what is already familiar. I wanted to build a tent where I was because the situation seemed to be so secure. I was afraid to cross the bridge of uncertainty that goes with the realization of my dream to be a missionary. But the voice of God was stronger than my human tendencies. I went as requested and in Haiti I was warmly welcomed by my confreres. Little by little, my fears were transformed into feeling of joy and security.

When I was in Seminary our professors taught us about using the bible, how to say Mass and baptize, and how to preach. But what about people who don’t go to Church? How do I preach the Good News of God’s love to them? They didn’t teach me that. But... Desi Mina, near three years old, showed me one way: She introduced me to her sandbox.

“Let the little children come to Me...
for it is to such as these that the Kingdom of Gods belongs .” (Luke 18:16-17)

London to Jordan

I am Sister Caroline M. Granil, a native of Cardona Tarlac. I belong to an International congregation and we are known as Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood. I joined this Congregation in 1972 after I finished my Nursing training in London. I was sent to Amman Jordan in 1981 where we administer an Out-Patient Clinic of Mothers and Babies and General Patients. We serve both the Jordanians and Palestinians, Moslems and Christian Alike. Ninety percent however of attendances are Palestinians refugees from nearby Palestinian Camps, who fled Palestine in 1948 and 1967.

Associate Missionary

I’m Fr. Cresencio L. Suarin, known as Dodo, a diocesan priest from Pitogo, Pagadian Diocese, Mindanao. I volunteered to work with the Columban Fathers in Pakistan. I arrived in Pakistan, April 1993. I’m the first Filipino priest to work in Pakistan. There are five Filipino Columban lay missionaries, 15 Filipina sisters of different congregations, one Filipino Brothers of Charity and over a thousand Filipino workers all over Pakistan.

By Fr Joseph Panabang SVD

By Father Joseph D. Panabang, SVD

Speaking in Tongue

Sometimes some of the gifts of the of the Holy Spirit are too earnestly sought for. To some of To some of Charisma tics, anybody who does not speak in tongues second class Catholics. This causing division and arguments rather n than fostering unity. Once I saw one of these charismatic leaders I suddenly (in an exaggerated manner) dropped my hand and stated trembling a little and prayed “Ave Maria napnoka iti gracia, ni Apo Dois Adda kenka...”